Standardise, local companies told

LOCAL companies should promote standardisation to enable the country to participate in regional and international trade, Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha has said.

Minister Mike Bimha made the remarks on Wednesday at a dinner held at a local hotel to celebrate the ISO certification of local paint manufacturer and distributor of automotive and decorative paints, Nash Paints.

“This dinner has occurred during the era the Government in its bid to promote standardisation is working towards strengthening the national quality infrastructure as it establishes and implements the practice of standardisation including conformity assessment metrology and accreditation.

“This will enable our country to participate successfully in regional and international trade as this leads to better public health consumer and environmental protection and ultimately economic growth, poverty reduction and better quality,” he said.

Min Bimha said the achievement by Nash Paints is crucial as it levels the playing field for developing countries.

“ISO international standards create an enabling environment for investors, hence, promoting technology transfer. They also level the playing field for developing countries and facilitate free and fair global trade through benchmarking against international best practices,” he said.

The attainment of the certificate came at a time Nash Paints Executive chairman Tinashe Mutarisi was ranked second on the top 10 Most Influential Entrepreneurs Under 40 for the year 2017.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you Mr Mutarisi and team for a job well done. Indeed this is a great day in the history of Nash Paints since the attainment of Iso 9000: 2008 certification is a momentous achievement in the organisation’s commitment to demonstrating your ability to consistently provide products that meet customers and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

“I am impressed with this bold step you have taken as a company and I am elated as we join Nash Paints in celebrating this significant achievement.

“I’m reliably informed that throughout the years, Mr Mutarisi has committed himself to product and service excellence in the pursuit of his vision to see Nash Paints attaining world class standards,” said Min Bimha.